Psalms 140:9 Meaning and Explanation
“As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The psalmist prays that the enemies' own harmful words will rebound upon them.
The Context of Psalms 140:9
A petition that the enemies' own harmful words will become their downfall.
What Does Psalms 140:9 Mean?
The prayer shifts from asking for protection to a petition based on justice: let the enemies be ensnared by their own words. 'The head of those that compass me about' refers to the leaders or principal enemies surrounding the psalmist. The request is that 'the mischief of their own lips'—the harm they have engineered through speech—will 'cover them,' meaning overcome or envelop them.
This reflects a biblical principle: harmful speech and deception tend to entrap their speakers. The prayer is not for God to invent new punishment but to let the natural and just consequence of their words fall upon them. It is a prayer for the moral order to function as it should.
Psalms 140:9 in the Original Language
ra (רַע), 'mischief' — evil, harm, or trouble brought about by their actions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 140:9
What does Psalms 140:9 mean?
The psalmist prays that the enemies' own harmful words will rebound upon them.
What is the context of Psalms 140:9?
A petition that the enemies' own harmful words will become their downfall.